Liya ran inside with Inu and tight shut the door quickly. She put on every latch it had and peeped through the eyehole. The men were already at her doorstep. She ran to the back and made sure every door and window was shut while trying to call Yul for help. Before the call could connect, the doorbell rang which startled Liya. She picked up Inu and went to hide in her room. The doorbell rang again.
Yul, who was already on his way to pick up them, saw the call and took it thinking he was running late. "I will be there in no time," he said the moment the call connected. But from the other side Liya's hushed voice and panting was heard. This made Yul worry and asked quickly, "Liya? Are you there? Is everything alright?"
"Someone… some men are at the door. Can you … come quickly?" Liya whispered so as not to make much sound.
"What men Liya? Where are you right now? Are you safe?" Yul wasn't getting what was going on nevertheless he increased the car's speed and rushed to his house.
"I don't know… Don't know who they are…" Liya replied with a shaking voice.
"Relax Liya… Relax. Keep the phone on. I am almost there, okay? Inu is with you, right?"
"Yes…we are in the room…"
"Okay… good... now count to ten. I will be there by the time you reach ten. So go on…count…"
Liya heard Yul and started counting, "one, two, three…"
Yul was already at the front gate by then. The rain was still lashing out and Yul ran out of the car to the house, seeing the cars at the gate.
He got drenched all though it was a short distance but on reaching the patio he recognised who the people where.
"Uncle…, Jahan…" Yul greeted his grand uncle Mr. Janid Amarok and his son Jahan. Although Janid was his grandfather's brother, he was only old to be his uncle. So naturally Jahan was around Yul's age and his competitor for the heir's position. They had arrived with some guards and Liya mistook them as some intruders.
"Yul, did anything happen? Why are you here at this time? And why do you look so anxious? Jahan enquired as if it was out of concern, when in reality all they wanted was Yul's fall.
"Nothing that sort of. I came to pick Liya and Inu. We had some plans." Yul purposefully tried to divert the topic.
"Ah… then it seems we really came at a wrong time, didn't we dad?" Jahan asked his father.
"Sorry Yul. We came unannounced. But where are your wife and son? No one was answering the door…" Janid said.
"That's right. We had seen them in the front when we came. But no one opened the door later." Jahan supported his father and indirectly complained that Liya was being rude.
"It is not on purpose. Liya had actually called me to say that some men were here. The guards must have scared her. Please don't blame her uncle…" Yul was very courteous so as to prevent this situation from reaching anyone else in the family.
"Oh… did we? We didn't consider that she is unfamiliar with our family arrangements… Guess I will have to apologize to her personally then…"
Jahan was actually mocking Yul for having a wife who was unfit for their family through his words. Yul understood it perfectly and also realized Jahan's intentions to use Liya's shortcomings against him.
Even then Yul just smiled politely and went along. Since the phone was still connected, Liya heard everything that was going on. She relaxed on finding that it was a false alarm and came to open the door. She had instructed Inu to stay in his room until called for.
When Liya opened the door, Yul welcomed the guests in and introduced them to Liya. She also greeted them accordingly.
On meeting Liya, Jahan apologized as he had said earlier, "We are really sorry to have come unannounced and scaring you sister in law. Next time I will remember to inform you in prior."
"Please don't do that. It was my mistake. I also apologize for not recognizing you… Now, please be seated. I will bring in some refreshments." Liya replied and then walked towards the kitchen.
Janid stopped Liya and said, "No need for that, child… We actually came to invite you and son on behalf of your aunt. She wanted to have a get-together so that we get to know each other better. So come by this weekend…"
He then turned to Yul and said, "Remember to come…Your wife and son needs to get familiar with the family… we won't take your time anymore then…"
Saying this Janid walked out of the house and Jahan followed. They were surely insulting Yul for the recent developments in his personal life but in a very subtle way. Even the usually dumb Liya could see it.
After they left Yul closed the door and held Liya's both hands. He checked out her and then asked, "Are you alright? Were you really scared?"
In reality Liya could see that Yul was the one more scared now and it baffled Liya. She took her hands back from Yul's hold and said, "I am fine. I… over reacted… I am sorry…"
Yul shook his head as a no and said to Liya, "No…don't be. I should have been more careful. They were here to assess you, so that they could use it against me when needed. It's really my fault…"
"No it's not. I should have recognised them… It was my mistake… and now I caused you trouble…" Liya apologized again.
It was not getting anywhere so both Yul and Liya decided to drop the subject. "I will check on Inu…" Liya said quickly and went to the room.
Yul was really scared because of the call Liya made. He was worried that something awful had happened. Now that the situation was resolved, he sat on the chair near the dining table and drank some water.
Yul went through what Liya had said in the phone. She was scared that some men were there. Men…like the ones he saw outside Liya's house abroad. Yul looked in the direction of Liya in doubt. 'She is being chased and she knows who!' Yul concluded in his mind.